Combining OWL ontologies using -Connections

The standardization of the Web Ontology Language (OWL) leaves (at least) two crucial issues for Web-based ontologies unsatisfactorily resolved, namely how to represent and reason with multiple distinct, but linked ontologies, and how to enable effective knowledge reuse and sharing on the Semantic Web.In this paper, we present a solution for these fundamental problems based on -Connections. We aim to use -Connections to provide modelers with suitable means for developing Web ontologies in a modular way and to provide an alternative to the owl:imports construct.With such motivation, we present in this paper a syntactic and semantic extension of the Web Ontology language that covers -Connections of OWL-DL ontologies. We show how to use such an extension as an alternative to the owl:imports construct in many modeling situations. We investigate different combinations of the logics , and for which it is possible to design and implement reasoning algorithms, well-suited for optimization.Finally, we provide support for -Connections in both an ontology editor, SWOOP, and an OWL reasoner, Pellet.     

Parameatal cyst: presentation of two cases and a review of the literature

OBJECTIVE: To describe two additional cases of parameatal urethral cyst. The literature is reviewed and the etiology and treatment of this disease are discussed. METHODS: Two patients aged 20 and 24 years with parameatal urethral cyst are described. The patients were seen at the Gea González Hospital (México) during the period 1987-1988. The first case was asymptomatic and the cyst had been present since birth and in the other case, the cyst appeared at age 24 and caused irregular stream. Laboratory tests, surgical excision and pathological analysis of the cyst were performed. RESULTS: The laboratory tests were normal, no problems were encountered during surgical excision, the symptoms disappeared and there were no postoperative complications or recurrence. Pathological analysis demonstrated columnar epithelium in both cases. CONCLUSIONS: Parameatal urethral cyst is a rare benign condition that is asymptomatic in most of the cases. It may be present since birth or appear later and is prevalent in young males. Its etiology remains unclear and treatment is by complete surgical excision to avoid complications and recurrence.     

Compliance, tolerance and effectiveness of a short chemoprophylaxis regimen for the treatment of tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate compliance, side effects and the efficacy of a short course of chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis with isoniazid plus rifampin during 3 months, compared with the classic course of isoniazid for 9 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, comparative, randomized and open study of patients with the suitable criteria for chemoprophylaxis, in accordance with the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control of 1990. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the group of isoniazid plus rifampin, received isoniazid (300 mg per day) plus rifampin (600 mg per day) for 3 months, and the group of isoniazid, that received isoniazid at a dose of 300 mg per day for 9 months. RESULTS: 238 patients were included, of which 42 refused chemoprophylaxis. Of the remaining 196 patients, 98 were included in each group. Both groups were comparable at base level. The side effects, neither light nor severe showed significant differences. The appearance of adverse effects obliged the suspension of treatment in 7 patients in group isoniazid and of 9 patients in group isoniazid plus rifampin. Three patients in group isoniazid plus rifampin and 11 in group isoniazid stopped treatment (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.02-19.45; p = 0.04). Efficacy was comparable in the two groups; only one case of tuberculosis was detected in a patient who gave up chemoprophylaxis at day 30. CONCLUSIONS: Tolerance in group isoniazid plus rifampin compared with group I was similar. Compliance was better in the short-term group with a lower percentage of abandonment. On comparing, both groups have shown similar efficacy in preventing the appearance of tuberculosis.     

Accelerating the CU partitioning decision in an HEVC-JEM transcoder

Multimedia Tools and Applications - High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is currently the latest video coding standard available on the market, and it is able to offer up to twice the coding...     

Empirical Installation of Linear Algebra Shared-Memory Subroutines for Auto-Tuning

The introduction of auto-tuning techniques in linear algebra shared-memory routines is analyzed. Information obtained in the installation of the routines is used at running time to take some decisions to reduce the total execution time. The study is carried out with routines at different levels (matrix multiplication, LU and Cholesky factorizations and linear systems symmetric or general routines) and with calls to routines in the LAPACK and PLASMA libraries with multithread implementations. Medium NUMA and large cc-NUMA systems are used in the experiments. This variety of routines, libraries and systems allows us to obtain general conclusions about the methodology to use for linear algebra shared-memory routines auto-tuning. Satisfactory execution times are obtained with the proposed methodology.     

Towards the development of the framework for inter sensing enterprise architecture

Inter-enterprise architecture (IEA) is a new concept that seeks to apply the tools and methodologies of enterprise architecture (EA) in a collaborative context, in order to model collaborative organizations in an inclusive manner. According to the main enterprise architectures proposed to this point, an EA should be conformed at least for a framework, a methodology and a modelling language. Sensing enterprise (SE) is an attribute of an enterprise or a network that allows it to react to business stimuli originating on the Internet. These fields have come into focus recently, and there is not evidence of the use of IEA for modelling a SE, while finding an interesting gap to work on. Thus, this paper proposes an initial framework for inter sensing enterprise architecture (FISEA), which seeks to classify, organize, store and communicate, at the conceptual level, all the elements for inter-sensing enterprise architectures and their relationships, ensuring their consistency and integrity. This FISEA provides a clear idea about the elements and views that create collaborative network and their inter-relationships, based on the support of Future Internet.     

Angular variation of thermal infrared emissivity for some natural surfaces from experimental measurements

Multiangle algorithms for estimating sea and land surface temperature with Along-Track Scanning Radiometer data require a precise knowledge of the angular variation of surface emissivity in the thermal infrared. Currently, few measurements of this variation exist. Here an experimental investigation of the angular variation of the infrared emissivity in the thermal infrared (8-14-mum) band of some representative samples was made at angles of 0 degrees -65 degrees (at 5 degrees increments) to the surface normal. The results show a decrease of the emissivity with increasing viewing angle, with water showing the highest angular dependence (~7% from 0 degrees to 65 degrees views). Clay, sand, slime, and gravel show variations of approximately 1-3% for the same range of views, whereas a homogeneous grass cover does not show angular dependence. Finally, we include an evaluation of the impact that these data can produce on the algorithms for determining land and sea surface temperature from double-angle views.     

Development and characterization of Poly (vinyl alcohol) based hydrogels for potential use as an articular cartilage replacement

Hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel composites has been proposed as a promising biomaterial to replace diseased or damaged articular cartilage. Here, PVA/in-situ produced HA hydrogels with 0, 3 and 7.5 wt.% of HA content were obtained by freezing/thawing technique. Thermal, structural and mechanical characterizations were carried out. SEM micrographs revealed that HA was homogeneously distributed in PVA until 3 wt.% whereas partial agglomeration was observed for higher contents (7.5 wt.%). No significant changes were observed in the glass transition temperature (the average value was near to 78 °C ± 3 °C), the melting point and structural water content whereas the gel fraction slightly increased (from 0.72 to 0.78) with the increase the content of HA. The absorbed water decreased (from 85.7% to 80.5%) as a function of HA content The stress–strain curves were really different in hydrated and non-hydrated conditions, changing from non-linear, in presence of water, to linear behavior in a dried state, being in the first case consistent with the articular cartilage . The lowest friction coefficient was obtained for samples with 3 wt. % HA (0.067 ± 0.049), which is, together with a high resistance (721 ± 25 kPa), an important property for materials that will be used as articular replacement. The results indicate that this hydrogel could be used, after other studies, as articular cartilage replacement.     

Iron metabolism: current concepts of an essential micronutrient

Iron is an essential micronutrient involved in multiple biochemical and physiological process. In this review we discuss the most relevant aspect of its metabolism in order to reach a better comprehension of the relevant roll that this micronutrient plays in human health.